Re: Putman - - - Putnam Machine Company was purchased by GENERAL MACHINERY CORPORATION, of Hamilton, Ohio in 1932. I believe that Putnam had closed, during the Depression, and GENERAL thought there would be some renewal parts business. GENERAL also owned Niles Tool Works and The Hooven, Owens, Rentschler Co. also of Hamilton, Ohio. The timeline of Putnam is: 1836 - John & Salmon W. Putnam, Trenton, NJ. 1837 - Panic = No Operation.
1838 - John S.W. Putnam Co. Ashburnham, Mass. 1849 - Fitchburg, Mass., Destroyed by Fire; reopened for business the same year. 1858 - PUTNAM MACHINE CO. Aparently they also bought The Beaman & Smith Co. of Providence, RI in 1898 and The Detrick & Harvey Machine Co. of Baltimore, MD in 1882. I am not aware of any records, or drawings of any kind or any rebuilding of any locomotives. The Niles drawings were in the hands of SIMMONS of Albany, NY - could they have any records? Regards, Hank Rentschler
Henry A. Rentschler